his supply
or of the Comanche finding him wholly unprepared.

They probably believed that, after such a discharge on his part, he
would not expect an instant renewal of the attempt, and would,
therefore, be off his guard for a few seconds, during which they could
make their rush.

This was drawing it exceedingly fine, and the Texan did not attempt to
explain that which must always remain a partial mystery.

"I wonder now whether that can be a little plan to hold my attention,
while they try something in another direction," was his next thought,
which proved that Captain Shirril was at last approaching the right
trail.

The image, or rather body, having been raised far enough above the eaves
to show the head and shoulders, remained as stationary as if carved in
wood. It was unsafe for its projectors to trust it further without
support. It was now ready to receive the fire of the gentleman, and the
Comanches might well ask why it was he delayed opening business.

He kept it under scrutiny a few seconds longer, fearful that there might
be some hidden design which he did not understand; and then, in
obedience to his suspicion, he turned his head to look over the roof
behind him.

At the moment of doing so, he heard a stealthy but rapid step. The first
glance showed him a sinewy warrior, moving softly across the planking
from the other end of the cabin and coming directly toward him.

The Comanche was in a crouching posture, with his rifle in his left
hand, while his right rested on his hip, as if grasping the handle of
his knife.

Supposing the dusky foe was coming for him, Captain Shirril rose to a
half-sitting position, and held his revolver ready. He meant to wait
until his enemy was so near that there could be no possibility of
missing him.

Before that point was reached, the Comanche would have to pass directly
by the open scuttle. The Texan awaited his coming with the same coolness
he had shown from the first, when to his inexpressible amazement the
Indian dropped directly through the open door and drew it shut after
him, with a suddenness like that of the snapping of a knife-blade.

And then it was that Captain Shirril read the meaning of that strange
manoeuvring at the corner of the roof, and awoke to the fact that he had
been completely outwitted.

CHAPTER XVII.

AT FAULT.

Captain Shirril was never so outwitted in all his life. With never a
suspicion that the Comanche, dashing over the r